The Hammond Board of Trustees has unanimously and enthusiastically appointed Adam de Pencier to the position of Headmaster, succeeding Dr. Barks at the end of this year.

This decision brings to a conclusion a thorough and lengthy search process that began about this time last year. The Search Committee was comprised of representatives from the Board, the faculty and alumni. With the help of Wickenden & Associates, four finalists were invited to return to Columbia with their spouses, and each spent two days meeting from 125 to 150 people from all constituencies of the Hammond community. The Search Committee received written feedback from over 95% of the people who participated. In addition, Wickenden provided the Search Committee with reference reports, extensive background checks and an assessment of each candidate’s personality and professional styles.

The result of this comprehensive process led to a recommendation by the Search Committee - unanimously endorsed by the Board of Trustees - that Adam de Pencier be named the next Headmaster of Hammond School.

Adam de Pencier has spent his career in independent school education, serving in some of Canada’s most prestigious schools, including Trinity College School, Branksome Hall and Upper Canada College. He has held numerous administrative positions, including Assistant Head and Dean of Faculty as well as Director of Admissions and University Relations. In addition, Adam has extensive classroom experience as an educator and coach. Adam joins Hammond from Madison Country Day School in Madison, Wisconsin where he is currently serving as Head of School. He and his wife, Jane, are the proud parents of two young sons.

A recipient of numerous, prestigious academic awards, Adam is recognized as one of the brightest minds in independent school education today. Highly educated, he has studied at the Universities of Chicago, Edinburgh and Toronto, Queen’s University (Canada), and most recently at Columbia University, where he graduated with Upper School Head Chris Angel from the prestigious Klingenstein Institute for Independent School Education.

Adam brings an extraordinary energy and enthusiasm to his focus on children and their education. He has a very collaborative, deliberate and thoughtful leadership style that will inspire faculty and children to achieve at the highest levels. His educational philosophy is entirely consistent with the mission and values of Hammond, embracing the tradition of rigorous academics with a global emphasis. He has experience in the arts as well as in athletics and appreciates and promotes the role of both in developing children. He enthusiastically embraces Hammond's emphasis on unique learning opportunities outside the traditional classroom and will continue to promote its mission to educate children in mind, body and spirit. Adam and Jane are grounded in a strong faith with high moral values and yet at the same time are respectful of Hammond’s non-sectarian tradition. Jane is a committed partner and will be an active participant in the life of the school and community. Having lived in England, Australia and the Czech Republic, in addition to the United States and Canada, Adam has a world of experience to share.